In the next flashback Mitch recalls the various books he had to buy for Morrie's classes in college. He remembers a conversation that he and Morrie had about the tension of opposites when you want to do something but you have to do something else. When Mitch asks him which side wins, Morrie tells him that love always wins.

In "Taking Attendance" Mitch flies to London to watch Wimbledon. He recalls that the O.J. Simpson trial was going on in the United States, and people were obsessed with it. Mitch thought about how Morrie never watched television or gossiped. He was always reading books, meeting with friends, and helping others. Morrie had advocated that devoting your life to loving others gives your life meaning. Huddled up in a cubicle, Mitch did not feel as though he was doing that. When Mitch arrived home, he found that the unions at his newspaper had gone on strike. Since he was a member of the union, he had to quit work and join the picketers. He worried about not having a paycheck. After a week, he called Morrie to ask if he could visit again. They agreed on Tuesday.

In another flashback to his sophomore year, Mitch remembers Morrie telling him that money is not what's important. He encouraged Mitch to follow his dream of becoming a musician.

"The First Tuesday: We Talk about the World" is their first somewhat official meeting which gives the book its name. Mitch noticed that Morrie's legs had atrophied from lack of use. Mitch brought Morrie some food, which they shared together. Morrie told Mitch that he thought the day was coming when he would no longer be able to wipe himself, and it bothers him because it is the ultimate sign of dependency. Even still, he's going to try to enjoy it as though he's a baby once more, and someone clearly cares about him to help him in this way. Morrie admitted to watching the news and feeling closer to people around the world who were suffering. He said he cries all the time and told Mitch that it's acceptable for men to cry. Mitch thought about how Tuesday had always been their day together. Mitch's senior year when he was writing his thesis, he would always visit Morrie on Tuesdays to receive feedback on his paper. Morrie said they were Tuesday people. Before Mitch left, Morrie told him that love is the only rational act; then he encouraged Mitch to come again next Tuesday.

In another flashback, Mitch remembers a class when Morrie walked in and didn't speak for fifteen minutes. The class became very agitated and proceeded to have an interesting discussion about why people are embarrassed by silence. Mitch admits that he prefers silence to talking to others about his feelings, which he thinks is much more embarrassing. Morrie points out to Mitch as he exits class that he didn't participate much in the discussion and tells Mitch that he reminds him of himself at that age.

In "The Second Tuesday: We Talk about Feeling Sorry for Yourself," Mitch flies back out to see Morrie. Mitch likes himself better when he's with Morrie. Mitch brings more food. Morrie tells Mitch that each morning he mourns the loss of whatever he can no longer do, such as wiggling fingers or moving his hands. He allows himself a short time for self-pity each morning then he moves on. Morrie doesn't believe people should waste all their time feeling sorry for themselves. After Morrie returned from the bathroom, Mitch offered to help move him from his wheelchair to the recliner. His assistant Connie instructed Mitch on how to lift him under his armpits. Holding him in that way, Mitch realized how close to death Morrie was.

In a flashback to 1978, Mitch remembers what Morrie called Group Process, which Mitch thinks is a touchy-feely course, which usually results in a member of the class crying. Morrie thinks Mitch needs to be more open-minded. They do a trust exercise where they are supposed to fall backward into each other's arms. It makes them uncomfortable, and they can't do it. Finally, one girl falls and a peer catches her. Morrie points out that she closed her eyes, which made her focus on what she felt instead of what she saw. People need to trust their feelings.